I spent mine chillaxing around the apartment, which I think I needed. I did a little reading (Sookie Stackhouse; I’m on Book 4) and fooling around with makeup (BIG surprise!).

This morning I’d like to answer two of the questions a few of you asked about MAC Style Black. The first question comes from Faye.

MAC Style Black Mineralize Eyeshadows: How’s the fallout?

QUESTION: How was application quality for the shadows? I hesitated to get these because Iâ€™ve had issues with the Mineralize shadows in the past â€” they always seem gritty and hard to blend, with fallout. How are these? – Faye

Heya Faye,

I actually find them pretty easy to blend, but fallout is a common concern when it comes to MAC’s Mineralize Eyeshadows.

The two Style Black ones I’ve tried so far, Young Punk (the shimmery purplish black) and Gilt By Association (the shimmery blackish bronze), apply smooth, and I haven’t experienced much fallout with either one.

By applying all of my eye makeup first — before concealer, foundation and everything else — I think it minimizes the impact of minor fallout with these.

Here are a few more things you might try to improve your results with these and other Mineralize shadows:

Use a flat, firm shadow brush with a small brush head. I like the MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush ($25). I think it works better for me than fluffy brushes like the MAC 217 Blending Brush ($27). Fluffy brushes will distribute shadow over a wider area, while firmer brushes will deposit denser color in a smaller area and will generally provide better control.

Press to apply. With my firm eyeshadow brush, I’ll use a gentle pressing motion (as opposed to a windshield wiper motion or small circles) to really pack the shadow onto my eyelid.

Start with a creamy base. A wet, creamy product like MAC Cream Colour Base will give Mineralize shadows something to adhere to, and I get better results from them here than with non-creamy primers.

MAC addicts, do you use any tricks or tips when you apply MAC Mineralize Eyeshadows?

What the heck is that lipstick?

Readers Sooji and Amanda asked about the shimmery pink lip color I wore in this Style Black face of the day. That’s MAC Syrup ($14). It’s part of MAC’s permanent line and one of my favorite MAC lippies to wear with eyeshadows in purple or blue.

I also think it goes well with pink blushes like MAC Dollymix, Dame, Pink Swoon and Well Dressed.

Sunday plans?

Mine are 100% NOT exciting — just packing and more packing. What are you up to today?

So far, 39 people have commented on this article. How cool is that?

Hi! I tried Gilt by Association for the first time yesterday. In the past I have seen that MAC Studio artist usually spray a little bit of Fix + directly to the brush before using the mineralize eyeshadow in this way the color will be more instense and basically there will be no fall out of eyeshadow. Instead of sparying the Fix + directly in the brush I sprayed on the back of my hand and from there took the brush and slightly brushed it over the Fix +. Then I went to the eyeshadow and I have to say it worked wonders! No fall out, amazing intense color that lasted all night in Humid weather…I also applied the mineralize on top of the Bat Black CCB which makes also the eyeshadow stay longer.

i actually used blue flame on top of my blacktrack fluidline, and it worked really well!
i also just bought a barbie loves stila smudge pot in little black dress–its so similar to the mac mineralize eyeshadow in young punk, but you dont need to apply it over something else to get the impact you want.

As for mineralize shadows, I don’t have problems with blending but I do have to deal with fall out for the chunky shimmer. I actually like to apply my foundation first (if I do plan on wearing foundation) because I find that it acts as a light base to everything. I like to use a clear waxed based eyeshadow primer that is a bit tacky and that would make the eyeshadow stick better. The waxiness and stickiness is gone once I applied the shadow. To help the shadow adhere better I like to spray my brush with MAC Fix +, water works fine too. I also use a patting motion to pack on colour, once I get the colour payoff I want, then I sweep and blend. I will clean up any left over fallout with a bit of left over foundation on my brush and apply my concealer and powder very last. This way the concealer would hide and clean any fallout. I think it would be a good idea to keep some makeup remover by your side as you are working with eye shadows that have fallout, this way you can clean up your face as you work. I usually use Medusa’s Makeup Stick It! as a primer: http://bellakoola.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/medusas-makeup-stick-it-eye-makeup-primer/
.-= amy’s last blog post… Schwartzkopf Citre Shine Shine Miracle Anti-Frizz Serum =-.

Karen you asked a question about what secret you use putting on your mineralized eyeshadows. Don’t laugh but I put a little tiny bit of vaseline on my eye my eye lid and it makes the eyeshadows stay on for all day. You can also use chapstick. I know it sounds funny, but it works

What am I up to this Sunday? Working on my essays. I have my Children’s Lit one about 1/2 way done (not due until Tuesday) and I got the heading on my Gender & Sexuality one down and what I’m going to talk about on another piece of paper. I’m doing the page-to-screen essay (Children’s Lit) on Howl’s Moving Castle. For Gender & Sexuality (now known as G&S) on how the Brother’s Grimm tale of Snow White reaffirms the patriarchal standards, especially the idea of good girl vs. bad girl. It’s a sexist text even though I love the Brother’s Grimm. The Brother’s Grimm fairy tales are by far my favorite. Violent and gruesome.

I’m carpet cleaning since I’m basically done unpacking. So I know your pain! I had about 10 clear plastic shoe boxes of makeup, plus another 6 for hair and body stuff and another 3 for nail polish. Oh then there’s the kitchen, my clothes, and over 300 pairs of shoes…. oh well, it’s unpacked and things are clean. =)

As for preventing fall out, I usually put down a layer of face powder under my eye. Once done I dust off with a brush and say bye-bye to the fall out. I also don’t apply my foundation until after I’m done my eye makeup. For a primer, I use UDPP or Too Faced Shadow Insurance, then a paint pot or CCB. I use a MAC 242 or 239 that’s dampened with Fix+ or Mixing Medium. I also use a patting motion to meld the powder and my base together.

I worked but I picked up some mac goodies on my break, MY FIRST MAC PURCHASE EVER! I bought the seriously hip & baby goth girl polishes from style black and the amorous and totally fab dazzleglass cremes!! They are amazing, I’ve tried them both out already.

Ba ha ha ha ha ha ha, no. I got about 3/4ths of my Children’s Lit done (it’s due tomorrow so I’m finishing it today) and I still only have the heading for my G&S essay. I work best when I have some done a few days before and then spit the rest out the night before it’s due. I just work better that way. I can’t do essays the minute they’re assigned. I have to sit and think it through. I’m a thinker.

Y’know what’s worse? I have to write a reflection paper for Social Psychology too!!! I have to e-mail it to him before next class (next Monday)!

My dad said we could get Zena her Halloween costume on Friday. She’s going as the Little Stinker (see link). She’s going to look so cute!

AROUND THE WEB

Unsung Heroes!

Featured MBB reader of the week: kwmechelle!

Guurl! Thanks for all the '90s hip-hop refs and our fun conversations about bronzer. One day that CoverGirl Queen Collection Bronzer will be mine... IT WILL BE MINE!!!
I've really enjoyed getting to know you in the comments and hearing about your adventures with your niece and nephew. Flute BFFs forever. GO BAND GEEKS! :)